Social Security Administration Randomization (Supersedes PSB 11.10)

Purpose of bulletin

To advise staff of changes to social security numbers and the way the Social Security Administration (SSA) issues them.

Background

In an effort to increase the number of social security numbers available for use by the Social Security Administration and in order to help reduce identity theft, the Social Security Administration plans to change the way they issue SSNs.

As a result of this change, SSA will have the ability to continue to issue SSNs in all areas of the country for many years without additional changes.

Social Security Administration

What’s Changing:

SSA will issue SSNs with the number 8 in position 1

SSA will no longer issue SSNs based on geography

SSA will have all possible SSNs with the number 7 in position 1

What’s Not Changing:

SSA will not issue SSNs starting with the number 9

SSA will not issue SSNs beginning with the numbers 666 in positions 1-3

SSA will not issue SSNs beginning with the number 000 in positions 1-3

SSA will not issue SSNs with the number 00 in positions 4-5

SSA will not issue SSNs with the number 0000 in positions 6-9

Taxpayer inquiries

Follow your established unit procedures on how to handle these situations.